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Raspberry plants

paul.fieldwilliamspaul.fieldwilliams Posts: 48
in Fruit & veg
Hi, I have a row of Raspberry canes (about a year old) that are growing quite high (4-5ft) There is no sign of any fruit yet? Not sure if I need to crop the tops off and get energy at the lower part of the plant or do I just leave them alone?
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Are they an autumn fruiting type?  If so it’s too early to expect fruit. Just give the plants plenty of water .... and wait ... 😋 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    My summer fruiting raspberries didn't fruit until they were two years old.  But by golly they're worth waiting for!
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    well if there is literally no flower buds or anything then it is too late for you to get fruit this year.

    I am still learning about pruning raspberry canes. Either cut them all back completely in winter which is what most people do or leave the newest 5 canes and cut away anything else which is what I am doing this year - not sure this is right though. Mine have grown 5 feet tall this year and consensus is to cut them I think but I can't get myself to cut them 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    The winter to the ground cut is for Autumn fruiting,  the leaving five canes is for Summer fruiting as they fruit on last years growth, where as Autumn  fruit on this years growth. My Autumn ones are only just coming into flower and are five foot tall. I dont expect to start to harvest till the end of the month at least.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    The summer ones fruit on old wood, then after that the old wood is cut to encourage new growth, which will have next years fruit. If you cut it all down on summer fruiting you wont get fruit. Autumn fruit on this years growth, so they get cut in February before new growth appears. Other than that they need no cutting.
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    thx purple, that clears up a little. I mean with raspberries, currants, gooseberries, cherries and all the other fruit trees there is a lot to know about pruning.

    Now I need to figure out which my raspberry golden queen is.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    edited July 2019
    Well the blurbs say Autumn,  but then qualify with twice cropping July to September,  which would still make it an Autumn variety.🤔 A bit confusing there.🤔
    Never tried a golden variety.
  • paul.fieldwilliamspaul.fieldwilliams Posts: 48
    Thanks all. That's really useful info. I did some scratting about and found the label. They are Octavia which is a 'late main season raspberry' so I guess I might be jumping the gun a bit  :*. No flowers yet so fingers crossed we may still get some? The label said it should flower in May/June and harvest July/August but, it seems most things in my garden are late this year so may be there is still time? I did cut back all stems to the ground this Feb so all stems/canes are this year's growth. Is the general consensus then that I just completely leave alone apart from watering then cut them back next near? I was hoping to move them then as well as they are blocking the light from the beans :blush: Thanks again for the responses though :smiley: Pic of the canes added.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    They look just like mine in growth. If you look at the very base you should see very green looking berries or flowers. As these shoot from the main stems they usually start at the bottom and work up, and yes it is a funny slow growing season for some things.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Just a thought. As raspberries tend to take over , is there a fence/wall they could be moved to?
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